9:31 pm: A Grabner breakaway almost gave the Isles a one goal cushion. Almost. With an empty net in the Buffalo zone for the last minute and change, the Islanders did everything they could to keep the two points they wanted to pocket. John Tavares almost had an empty netter, but the play was off sides.

"I thought the last two games we played real well. a lot of desperation late. Everybody. We got some saves when we needed them and the guys worked hard and earned the two points." Jack speaks very quickly when he's happy.

"When we needed a save, Al come up for us." You needed a lot of them Jack.

9:19 pm: To say that Al Montoya was the best penalty killer on the ice during the 5 on 3 Sabres Power Play is an understatement. Whether the saves were brilliant or just lucky doesn't matter. Montoya seemed to position himself in the right place for the entire penalty kill. That should be another mark on his report card towards being the Isles #1 goalie.

Travis Hamonic was hit with a puck during the kill and seemed to be stunned, but only took himself out of the play briefly. What a battling kid he is.

9:02 pm: How many opportunities can the Isles miss out on to pull ahead in this game? So far three. John Tavares does some very fancy work behind the net but can't get the puck into it. Kyle Okposo shoots a rocket that they could hear in Niagra as it clanks off the post. JT sends a second shot at the net that was a save, but the rebound was left on the door step for Matt Moulson for a wide open net that ended up going wide.

JT's parents are in the stands which is keeping the cameras on him every change they get.

Okay, make that FOUR times. Brian Rolston in the paint swatting at a David Ullstrom shot, but the whistle blows and even though he thinks it's behind the line, it's not. Hey, if it first... he did it again and this time they couldn't wave it off as it was clearly behind the line. Rolston gets a goal and Ullstrom gets his first NHL point.

8:53 pm: As soon as I pay attention, Nino doesn't cover Hecht well enough and he scores on Montoya to make it 1 - 1 in the third. Plenty of time, but this may take the game into OT.

8:46 pm: Okay, a nice goal by Matt Moulson has been holding the team for two periods. Solid as Butchie calls it. Isles have 18 SOG to the Sabres 16. Also the Isles have blocked 9 shots to keep the score the same through two.

Matt Moulson had one hell of a fight in the first and Nino laid an uncharacteristically horrid hit on a little guy. Never leave your feet Nino. That's a dirty play and I don't want to see you turn into that type of player. Besides, you're nine inches taller than that kid you threw into the bench. Bad boy! Bad boy!

11:32 am: Al Montoya will get his third straight start tonight in Buffalo with the Isles hoping for another road win. Marty Reasoner will be in the line-up for Michael Haley. He gets to rest a little.

Note: Also if you missed PuckDaddy and Dom from Lighthousehockey.com on NHLWeekly on Sportstalknetwork.com last night, you can catch up here any time. check the 112811 show. http://www.sportstalknetwork.com/main/hockey/

Buffalo: That place that was so cruel to Bruce Boudreau that he lost his job when his team of stars was beaten into the ice by a team of call-ups. Will the Islanders have the same fate on the ice? One place they won’t is behind the bench. Well, not according to Art Staple’s Newsday article today where owner Charles Wang puts his support and faith in both General Manager Garth Snow and current head coach Jack Capuano.

Mr. Wang admits he is just as frustrated as the fan base at the lack of points piling up for an otherwise talented team. But his frustration comes with a price tag with a lot of decimal places. The one statement that is telling (and that I have heard countless times before) is “We’re not a big market team that can spend like some teams do. But I’ve never said no to what Garth wants to do. If it makes sense for our team, then we’ll do it. We’ve tried to be conservative and make smart decisions, and that’s what we’ll continue to do.”

Most fans will read the word “conservative” and translate it to “cheap,” but that’s not really the case. They have tried to spend, but the investment has to warrant the return. Currently the “return” is limited by low full-price attendance. The deep discounts and holiday specials and sponsored reduced rate ticket sections have helped keep the attendance respectable. But it doesn’t do much for the bottom line.

And why should the Isles invest heavily when without a decision by June or July of next year regarding the building, they will be gone. No, “conservative” is also a by-product of uncertainty of location.

While other teams are feeling the injury bug as the season gears up, the Islanders announced that Jay Pandolfo has a broken foot and will be out for four to six weeks. Nino Niederreiter will be in the line-up tonight so everyone can stop wondering why. Perhaps the decision to keep him here in the big club or return him to his Junior club, the Winterhawks, has NOT been finalized. That would be up to El Nino to help Garth and company make that final decision.

Buffalo has lost four of it’s last six games and Ryan Miller continues to be sidelined. They will want to repeat their 5 - 1 drubbing of the Caps on the struggling Islanders. It will be up to John Tavares and his first line team mates to get on the board early to try to take a little wind out of their sails.

David Ullstrom should also be in the line-up for Tuesday. The call-up from Bridgeport has been impressive in his last few games. Should a defenseman from Bridgeport be called up as well? That’s a big question. And one that won’t be answered tonight. However, lines will be tinkered with as Jack tries to find the right mix to keep his job for NEXT season.

Puck drop a little after 7 pm tonight in Buffalo. Montoya in Net? I'm hoping.

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